On the anniversary of his accession to the throne, Moroccan King Mohammed VI expressed hope for “a return to normalcy” with Algeria and the reopening of borders between the two countries.
The statement was made during his traditional address to mark the occasion. Tensions between Morocco and Algeria have escalated recently, particularly after Israel’s recent recognition of Morocco’s Sahara, which Algeria denounced as “foreign maneuvers.”
In his speech addressed to the nation, the King stated, “We ask Almighty Allah for things to return to normal, for the borders between our two countries and our two brotherly peoples to be reopened.”
It’s worth noting that the borders between Morocco and Algeria have been closed since 1994. Algeria cut its diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021, accusing Rabat of “hostile actions,” a decision that Morocco considered entirely unjustified.
The relationship between the neighboring countries has soured amid regional competition, aggravated by their differing stances on the Sahara dispute.